Boise State vs. Wyoming: Who gets the edge, players to watch as division foes face off

WHO GETS THE EDGE?

When the Broncos run the ball ...

Boise State has found it can be most successful with a ball-control, run-centric approach. The Broncos rushed for a season-best 186 yards last Saturday at San Diego State, and have 344 of their 812 rushing yards this season the last two weeks.

The Cowboys have allowed 175.7 yards per game rushing (84th nationally), giving up at least 131 yards in every game, including 307 against Oregon on Sept. 16. Wyoming has forced 13 fumbles and recovered eight.

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for unlimited digital access to our website, apps, the digital newspaper and more.

“They play solid defense. We’re going to have to be the same offense we’ve proven ourselves to be, fast and physical, with a downhill run game,” Boise State sophomore running back Alexander Mattison said. “... We have a chance for some explosive plays.”

ADVANTAGE: Boise State

When the Broncos pass the ball ...

Only senior wide receiver Cedrick Wilson is averaging more than 30 yards per game, and the Broncos have failed to throw for more than 150 yards in four of their last nine games, including the last two. Their 200.6 ypg through the air ranks 86th.

Wyoming has intercepted nine passes and is 15th nationally against the pass (172.8 ypg). The Cowboys have an experienced back end, including senior cornerback Rico Gafford (four INTs) and the Preseason Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, safety Andrew Wingard.

“Last year, they got into us with a lot of press, things we weren’t used to,” Wilson said. “All of them are returning, that’s probably the biggest thing. ... They’re going to be up in our face. Even when penalties happen, they’re not going to get called.”

ADVANTAGE: Wyoming

When the Cowboys run the ball ...

After workhorse back Brian Hill left early for the NFL, Wyoming has struggled to get going on the ground. The Cowboys are averaging just 3.1 yards per carry (121st nationally), led by 6-foot-3, 210-pound freshman Trey Woods (285 yards, one TD).

“He’s big ... he’s young, but he runs hard, he has that hungriness that every freshman has,” Boise State sophomore safety DeAndre Pierce said. “If we can do like we did last game, make them one-dimensional, I believe we’ll be OK.”

The Broncos are coming off an extremely impressive performance, limiting San Diego State to just 83 rushing yards. They rank 13th in the nation against the run (102 ypg) and tied for 10th allowing only 2.93 ypc.

ADVANTAGE: Boise State

When the Cowboys pass the ball ...

Wyoming has one of the more polarizing NFL prospects in quarterback Josh Allen, who has plenty of physical tools, but his weapons are nothing like last season. The Cowboys are 96th in passing offense (186.2 ypg) and 89th in passing efficiency (122.58).

“The growth they’ve shown six games into the season has been huge,” Allen said of his receivers. “They’re more confident, they’re understanding what they can and can’t do. ... We’ve got a few that are more than capable of making plays.”

The Broncos have been solid against the pass, ranking 46th (119.82) in pass efficiency defense, with six interceptions and 17 sacks.

ADVANTAGE: Boise State

Special teams ...

Both teams have been impressive in the return game, with Boise State one of five teams with two or more punt return touchdowns and Wyoming one of eight with two or more kickoff return touchdowns.

Wyoming kicker Cooper Rothe is 8-of-10 on field goals, and punter Tim Zaleski is averaging 37.1 yards per punt. Boise State kicker Haden Hoggarth is 6-of-6 on field goals, and the Broncos’ punters average 42.4 yards per punt.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

BOISE STATE

Avery Williams, cornerback/returner

A former walk-on, the redshirt freshman has been one of the team’s most valuable players, averaging 15.9 yards per punt return (No. 9 in the FBS) and has run two back for touchdowns. Williams also has started the last two games on defense, making 11 tackles and breaking up two passes in those games.

“I was really close (to an interception),” Williams said. “... I feed on it, playing defense, get some momentum then go back there and return a punt. Whenever I get the ball in my hands, I want to take advantage of it.”

Jabril Frazier, STUD end

As part of the hybrid position, Frazier has continued to fulfill his potential as a pass rusher, tying for the team lead with four sacks this season. He had two last Saturday at San Diego State. Last season, he had four sacks all season, struggling with a multitude of injuries. Wyoming has allowed 12 sacks in five games against FBS foes.

“The last game was big, it built my confidence up,” Frazier said. “I felt like I was in a little slump, so I feel like I’m ready to go out this week and have fun.”

Kekoa Nawahine, safety

The Rocky Mountain High graduate is second on the team with 37 tackles (including some pretty big hits). He also has two interceptions and a fumble recovery. He’s made 14 tackles the last two games. Nawahine’s ability to read deep passes will be key against Wyoming, which tries to go long fairly often.

“I hope that shows, being able to fire up the guys around us, when we have an identity like BSU has always had, being able to play with a chip on their shoulder,” Nawahine said.

WYOMING

Josh Allen, quarterback

A 6-foot-5, 240-pound junior, Allen could very well be a top-10 pick in next April’s NFL Draft. His numbers (57.6 completion percentage, 1,085 yards, seven TDs, four INTs) aren’t eye-popping, but his raw skills are. He’s rushed for nine touchdowns in the Cowboys’ last 20 games and has a ton of arm strength.

“Obviously physically gifted,” Boise State defensive coordinator Andy Avalos said. “In terms of the ability to throw, if you’re on the sideline, keep your head on a swivel. Don’t get hit by one of those balls, they’ve got some zip on them.”

Logan Wilson, linebacker

The Mountain West’s Freshman of the Year last season moved from an outside spot to middle linebacker this season, having put on about 20 pounds in the offseason. A Casper, Wyo., native, he’s been productive again, leading the team with 58 tackles (five for loss) with a forced fumble and an 18-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

“I felt pretty comfortable making a switch,” Wilson told the Casper Star-Tribune. “I knew it was the best thing to help this defense out.”

Tyler Hall, cornerback/returner

Only eight times has the 5-foot-10, 184-pound Hall had a kickoff return opportunity. He’s run two of them back for touchdowns, scoring on 97- and 95-yard returns against Hawaii and Texas State in back-to-back weeks. The sophomore also has 12 tackles and a forced fumble on defense.

“He’ll hit it, he’ll find it, and then he’ll bounce it if he has to,” fellow cornerback Rico Gafford said. “He has the speed to do anything back there at the kick return spot.”

About Bronco Beat

Dave Southorn joined the Idaho Statesman staff in 2013 and has covered Boise State athletics since 2005. A 2004 University of Colorado graduate, he focuses on the Broncos' basketball and football teams.